The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 188


The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 188

Luke 18:24-30 – And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.” So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, “who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Jesus, the Christ of God/Messiah
2 Peter 3:9 -The LORD is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
How hard is it for a camel to pass through the ‘eye of a needle’? According to some who have studied this statement of Jesus, they have said that the wall surrounding Jerusalem had gates of entry that were open to travelers until dusk, then the gates were closed until sunrise the next day. As I looked at these gates this morning on ‘google’ I saw the gate and the narrow hole through the stone to allow a late traveler to enter into the city, but nothing else. Cattle and camels could not pass through the narrow opening, so these had to be left outside, mostly unprotected. These slender openings were called “the eye of a needle” because when you look at them, it is what the hole reminds you of.
The disciples and those who were listening to Jesus regarding the kingdom of God, understood clearly that ‘NO ONE’ entered the kingdom of God without permission to enter. Just as the ‘eye of the needle’ prevented the entry of no more than one at a time, and without the permission of those guarding the gates needle opening no one came in. Credentials were required, so how does this work with entering the kingdom of God for those who have left all to follow Jesus as the apostle Peter said. “See, we have left all to follow you.”
Coming to and entering the kingdom of God is literally a one on one experience with God. This experience is not a human work. It is not; can I take my riches with me, can I take my mom, my dad, my children or any other love attached friend, brother, sister, husband or wife. We may and often do, swell up in tears with the thought of leaving behind those we hold so dear to us. It is by Faith as the Holy Spirit of God calls us individually to accept His gospel of Grace, as we enter into the kingdom of God we do so by our own volitional faith through God’s offering of grace.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8) Salvation is by the grace of God through faith in God. A personal decision that you by faith alone submit to, by accepting God’s gift to you. You are God’s workmanship created in Christ work (trophies) of good works which alone has God prepared.

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